Peach half gripper for peach pitting head



I T. M. HARRER ET AL PEACH'HALF GRIPPER FOR PEACH FITTING HEAD Sept. 13,1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 3. 1957 IN VEN TOR5 mw w m% m 2 mm m w& w M M W2 V. B

P 1960 T. M. HARRER ETAL 2,952,286 Y PEACH HALF GRIPPER FOR PEACHFITTING HEAD s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 3, 1957 njv ' INVENTORS77/5000?! M HIPFIP Ara-00v! Sept. 13, 1960 T. M. HARRER ET AL PEI ACHHALF GRIPPER FOR PEACH FITTING HEAD 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 3, 1957INVENTORS 77/5000?! M. #49252 MAL 60AM W. LOViMA/0 BY Irma/n 5 Sept. 13,1960 T. M HARRER ET AL PEACH HALF GRIPPER FOR PEACH FITTING HEAD 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 3, 1957 Sept. 13, 1960 2,952,286

PEACHI -XALF GRIPPER FOR #EACH FITTING HEAD T. M. HARR'ER ET AL 6Sheets-Sheet 5 7 Filed Sept. 3; 1957 o W m m 227% Nn M EH 2 v mMw W E a4 o my Sept. 1960 T. M. HARRER ETAL 2,952,286

PEACH HALF GRIPPER FOR PEACH FITTING HEAD Filed Sept. 3, 1957 eSfieets-Sheet s INVENTOR5 rfizaaoii M, H4296? Mara/v MZOVEL/IND UnitedStates tent filice Patented Sept. 13, 1960 1 2,952,286 PEACH HALFGRIPPER FOR PEACH PI'ITING HEAD Theodore M. Harrer and Malcolm W.'Loveland, Orinda,

Calih, assignors to Atlas-Pacific Engineering Company, Inc., Emeryville,Califi, a corporation of California Filed Sept. 3, 1957, Ser. No.681,685

11 Claims. (Cl. 146-28) This invention relates to and in general has forits object the provision of a torque peach pitter and splitter of thetype disclosed in the following United States Letters Patent, and whichis particularly adapted for processing peaches of the clingstonevariety: J. Perelli, 2,775,279, December 25, 1956; J. Perelli,2,664,127, December 29, 1953; R. Polk et al., 2,402,181, June 18, 1946;R. Polk et al., 2,378,101, June 12, 1945; and T. M. Topp, 596,343,December 28, 1897.

In the structures disclosed in each of these patents pitting is effectedby ringing the peach flesh, clamping the pit, and then turning the peachhalves relative to the pit.

Although currently it is the practice of canners to grade peaches atsome stage of their processing, to be commercially acceptable asplitting and pitting machine should nevertheless be able to handlepeaches of a fairly wide range of sizes and hardness.

This condition, together with the fact that the flesh of clingstonepeaches when ready for processing is still very firm and adheres orclings tightly to the stone or pit, has made it very difficult to designmeans for properly gripping and holding the halves of a peach during therotation thereof relative to its pit during the pitting operation.

More specifically, the object of this invention is the provision of apeach splitter and pitter of the torque type wherein each of a pair ofringed peach halves is gripped adjacent its medial plane by a pair ofdiametrically opposed cinch belts and then while so gripped is bodilyrotated about its axis thereby to sever it from its associated pit.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a peach splitterand pitter of the character above described, including a frame; a pairof coplanar splitting knives mounted on said frame for coplanar movementrelative to each other, a reciprocating feed mechanism for periodicallyfeeding peaches to and between said knives; means for closing saidknives upon the pit of a peach impaled thereon; a peach-half grippinghead mounted on each side of said frame for movement to and away fromsaid knives, each of said heads including a rotatable peach-halfreceiving cup, a coaxial disc rotatable relative to said cup, a pair ofdiametrically opposed cinch straps secured to and between .said cup andsaid disc and arranged conjointly to circumscribe the periphery ofapeach half; means for rotating said cup relative to said disc untilsaid straps are in gripping engagement with said peach half and for thenlocking said discs against further rotation relative to its associatedcup; means for then bodily rotating said disc, cup, and peach while itsassociated pit is held stationary by and between said knives; means forexpanding said straps to release said peach half; and means forretracting said cup from said knives. v

The invention possesses other advantageous features,

some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in thefollowing description where those forms of the invention which have beenselected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming apart of the present specification, are outlined in full. In saiddrawings, two forms of the invention are shown, but it is to beunderstood that it is not limited to such forms, since the invention asset forth in the claims may be embodied in other forms.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a peach splitter and pitter embodying theobjects of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the section i 2-:2 fg Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the section line 3-3of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the section line 4-4of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the section line 5-5of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the section line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on the section line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on the section line 8-8 Of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary Section taken on the section line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation of Fig. 8 taken along the line 10-10thereof.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7 but wherein thepeach-half cinch bands or straps of the device are shown in their fullyopen or expanded position.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken on the section 1 2-12 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to that shown in Figs. 7 and 1'1, butillustrating a modified form of our invention wherein each peach half isgripped by only a single cinching belt or band, said band being shown inits expanded or open position.

Fig. 14 is a view similar'to Fig. 13, but showing the in hi g ban i c ntcted o p hippi Position- Structure in general Generally, the peachsplitter and pitter illustrated in these drawings includes: a frame; aguillotine assembly for ringing a peach about its suture and grippingits pit in the plane of said suture; a reciprocating feed assembly forperiodically delivering peaches to the guillotine assembly; a peach-halfgripping and twisting assembly mounted on each side of said frame formovement to and from said guillotine, each such assembly including arelatively rotatable, coaxial cup and disc; 9. pair of diametricallyopposed peach-half cinch straps secured to and between said cup anddisc; means for rotating said cup so as to tension said straps intofrictional engagement with the periphery .of the peach half associatedtherewith; means for locking said disc against rotation relative to itsassociated cup; means responsive to the outward movement of saidpeach-half and gripping assemblies for ejecting the peach halves fromthe cups thereof.

Frame assembly I As best shown in Fig. 1, our pitter includes a simplerectangular frame generally designated by the reference numeral 1 andincludes arious brackets and transverse supporting members, the detailsf which will presently appear during .the description of the otherassemblies of the machine.

G l ne s emb y Extending across the forward end of the frame 1, andsecured thereto, is a transverse supporting angle 2, and detachablyfastened thereto by an angle lug 3 a U- shaped knife carrier 4. .Detachably secured to the carrier 4 by bolts 5 is a fixed knife 6 havinga forward arcuate cutting edge 7,.an upper horizontal thickened or anvilportion 8 provided with a serrated or scalloped peach pit receivingrecess -9 and with a rear .L-shaped notch 11.

Secured .tothe frame '1 isatransversely extending supporting angle'lZ,and bolted thereto is an inverted, Vertically disposed U-shaped knifetrack 13. Slidably accommodated within the track 13 in the plane of theknife 6 is an upper vertically reciprocable knife carrier 14, anddetachably mounted to the lower end thereof is an upper knife 15provided with an arcuate, forward cutting edge 16 and with a thickened,serrated or scalloped arcuate pit-receiving recess 17 complementary tothe recess 9 and with a depending portion 18 receivable within theL-shaped notch 11 of the lower fixed knife 6. Here it should be notedthat the cutting edges 7 and 16 of the two knives form a convergententryway for a peach delivered thereto.

Mounted on the top of the frame are bearings 21, and journaled thereinis a transversely extending shaft 22. Keyed or otherwise secured to theshaft 22 is a bell crank 23 including an upper arm 24 and a lower arm25, the outer end of the arm 25 being pivotally connected to the upperend of the knife carrier 14. Extending through the upper end of theknife track 13 is a stop bolt 26.

As a result of the structure thus far disclosed, all of which is wellknown in the art, it will be seen that the upper knife 15 willreciprocate up and down in response to any reciprocation which may beimparted to the bell crank 23 by means presently to be described.

Peach feeding assembly Provided on the lower, forward end of the frame 1is a bearing 31, and journaled therein is a shaft 32. Keyed or otherwisesecured to the shaft 32 is an arcuate arm 33, and pivoted to the outerfree end thereof is a bifurcated peach holder 3'4, means being providedfor locking the holder 34 in any desired adjusted position. Formedintegral with the holder 34 is a peach centering pin 35.

Also keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 32 is a crank arm 36provided at its outer free end with a fork 37, and pivoted to-the freeend thereof is a slide bearing 38. Slidably mounted in the bearing 38 isa connecting v rod 39 threaded at its free end for the reception of apair of nuts 41 and 42. Circumscribing the rod 39 between the bearing 38and a washer 43 is a compression spring 44 for outwardly biasing theconnecting rod 39.

It will be seen that as a result-of this construction the arm 33 can bemade to reciprocate back and forth in response to any reciprocatingmovement of the connecting rod 39. In the operation of this device, anoperator places a peach on the bifurcated peach-supporting member 34with its stem end depression disposed over the centering pin 35 and withthe suture of the peach lying in a vertical plane during that portion ofthe cycle of operation of the device when the holder or supportingmember 34 is in its rearwardmost position. The arm then moves forwardunder the influence of the movement of the rod 39, thereby to impale thepeach on the lower stationary knife 6 with the pit of the peach locatedimmediately above the pit recess 9 of the knife.

The feeding assembly above described is also of well known constructionand operation and therefore per se forms no part of this invention.

Peach-half gripping and rotating assembly Secured to the frameintermediate its forward and rear ends is a transversely extendingsupporting plate 51, and secured thereto by bolts 52 is a bearinghousing or block 53. Formed in the block 53 is a pair of vertical bores54, and mounted therein are bearing sleeves 55. Journaled in the bearingsleeves 55 are parallel vertical shafts 56. Secured to each of theshafts 56 and adjacent its upper end is a supporting collar 57, andaffixed respectively to the upper ends of the shafts 56 are helicalgears 58 and 59. Also journaled in the bearing block 53 is a shaft 61,and secured thereto in mesh with the gears 58 and 59 is a gear 62 fordriving the gear 59 from the gear 58, but in an opposite direction.

Journaled intermediate their ends on the lower ends of the two shafts 56through the medium of bearing 4 sleeves 63 are arms 64 and 65. Aflixedto each of the shafts 56 beneath the arms 64 and 65 are collars 66, andkeyed or otherwise secured to the lower ends of shafts 56 are beveledgears 67 and 68. Journaled in the arms 64 and 65 intermediate the endsthereof and through the medium of bearing sleeves 69 are horizontallydisposed shafts 71 and 72. Keyed respectively to the inner ends' of theshafts 71 and 72 are beveled gears 73 and 74 in mesh respectively withthe beveled gears 67 and 68. Keyed respectively to the outer ends of theshafts 71 and 72 are sprocket wheels 75 and 76 arranged to receivesprocket chains'77.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the forward ends of A the arms 64and 65 extend to a point adjacent the splitting other.

Since the peach-gripping and rotating mechanism associated with theforward ends of the arms 64 and 65 are identical with the exception thatone can be considered as right hand and the other as left hand, onlythat structure associated with the arm 65 will here be specificallydescribed.

Provided in the outer end of the arm 65 is a bearing sleeve 81 (Fig. 7),and journaled therein is a shaft 82 merging or formed integral at itsinner end (right hand end as viewed in Fig. 7) with a fruit encompassingor accommodating cup 83. Mounted on the hub or base 84 of the cup 83 isa bearing sleeve 85 held in place by a retaining ring 86. Journaled onthe sleeve 85 is a disc 87 and formed thereon is a peripheral flat 88(Fig. 10). Swiveled to the fiat 88 by a pin 89 is a triangular rockerarm91. Pivoted to the lower right hand corner of the rockerarm 91 (asviewed in Fig. 10) by a pin 92 is a brake 93 provided with a brakelining 94 located immediately adjacent the bottom 95 of the cup 83.

Mounted on the lower left hand corner of the rockerarm 91 is a pin 96,and journaled therein is a cam follower roll 97. Fixed to the inner sideof the arm 65 (Fig. 7 and 9) by screws 98 is a cam disc 99, and runningclockwise on the inner side thereof as viewed in Fig. 9 is a cam trackincluding an inclined cam shoulder 101, an elevated dwell surface 102, adeclining cam surface 103, a depressed dwell surface 104, an inclinedcam shoulder 105 diametrically opposite the shoulder 101, an elevateddwell surface 106 diametrically opposite the dwell surface 102, adeclining cam surface 107 diametrically opposite the cam surface 103,and finally a depressed dwell surface 108 diametrically opposite thedepressed dwell surface 104, and which merges with the shoulder 101.

, depressed dwell surfaces 104 and 108 the brake 93 is out of engagementwith the bottom of the cup 83, and that consequently in so far as thestructure thus far described is concerned there is nothing to cause thedisc 87 to rotate in response-to the rotation of the cup 83. When,however, the cam follower roll 97 by climbing either of the shoulders101 or is brought into engagement with the elevated dwell surfaces 102or 106, the brake 93 is forced into locking engagement with the bottom95 of the cup 83, and consequently the disc 87 is constrained to move inresponse to the movement of the cup 83. These independent and concurrentmovements of the cup 83 and disc '87 and their angular duration arediagrammatically indicated in Fig.9.

Formed in the bottom 95 of the cup 83 are two diametrically opposedarcuate slots 111 and 112 each subtending an angle of about 90.Providedon the inner face of the disc 87 opposite each of the slots 111and 112 is a boss 113, and journaled in eachof the bosses 113 is a pin114 terminating at its outer end in a clamp plate or jaw 115accommodated in one of the slots 111 and 112. Threaded to the outer endof the pin 114 and over a Washer 116 is a retaining screw 117. As aresult of this construction each of the pins 114 moves with the disc 87but only within the limits of its associated arcuate slot 111 or 112.

Here it should be noted from an inspection of Figs. 7 and 11 that thebrake 93 and the slots 111 and 112 are so located relative to each otherthat there is no substantial overlapping of the brake with either of theslots.

Fastened to and between each of the clamp jaws 115 and a complementaryclamp jaw 118 by means of screws 119 is one end of a fruit cinch belt orband 121. Preferably, the band 121 is made of very thin flexible steeland is provided with a rubber lining 122 formed with fruitengagingserrations or scallops 123 disposed over a major portion of its length.

Mounted in the cup 83 at diametrically opposed points thereon arebearing bushings 125 (Fig. 12), and journaled therein are pins 126retained in place by lockwashers 127. Secured to or formed integral withthe upper end of each of the pins 126 is an arcuate or banana shaped arm128 provided at its free end with a pin socket 129'.

' Secured to the free end of each of the cinch bands 121 is a transversepin 131 accommodated within one of the pin sockets 129. From aninspection of Figs. 6 and 11, it is to be noted that each of the cinchbands 121 starting from its clamping jaws 115 and 118 extends in aclockwise direction within the cup 83 and terminates in its pin 131.Since the arm 128 to which this particular pin is pivoted is in turnpivoted to the cup 83, and of necessity must rotate in response to therotation of the cup 83, the rotation of the cup 83 in a clockwisedirection relative to the disc 87 will serve to constrict each of thecinch bands 121 about the periphery of a peach half 132 disposed withinthe cup 83. This structure then functions to hold one end of each of thecinch bands stationary, while the opposite ends thereof are beingrotated in the same clockwise direction. Preferably, the bands 121 andtheir scalloped liners 123 should be given an arcuate preset so as toconform generally to the contour of a peach.

To further constrain the bands 121 to retain a generally circularcontour during their expansion or dilation there is secured to theinterior of the cup 83 by screws 135 a pair of diametrically opposed,generally arcuate guide tracks 136 overlying the bands 121 and in effectforming a continuation of the pivoted or floating arms 128. Provided ineach end of each of the guide tracks 136 is a threaded hole 137 for thescrews used in securing an annular coverplate 138 (Fig. 7) over the openface of each of the cups -83.

From an inspection of Fig. 11 it will be noted that when the bands 121are in their expanded position, the portions thereof adjacent theirassociated clamps 115 and 118 are held radially outward by the arms 128.

Mounted on each cup 83 is an outwardly extending pin 141 (Figs. 2 and8), and similarly mounted on each disc 87 is a radially extending pin142. Secured to and stretched between each pair of pins 141 and 142 is atension spring 143. As a result of this construction, it will be seenthat if rotation in a clockwise direction is imparted to the cup 83, thespring 143 Will function to resiliently urge the disc 87 to rotate inthe same direction. However, from Figs. 9 and it is to be noted thatwhen the cam follower roll 97 is in abutment with either of thevinclined shoulders 101 or 105, the disc 87 is held against rotationuntil such time as the tension on the belt 121 is sufiicient-to overcomethe restraining action of the spring 110, this occurring when the cinchbands 121 have been brought into proper gripping relationship with apeach half. At this point, the restraining action of the spring 110 willhave been overcome, and the cam follower roll 97 will climb the shoulder101 to the raised dwell surface 102. When the roll 97 comes intoengagement with the elevated dwell surface 102 or 106, as the case maybe, the brake 93 engages the bottom of the cup 83 thereby to lock thedisc to the cup, and when this occurs the disc, cup, and peach halfrotate bodily relative to the peach pit which is held stationary by theclamping action of the two knives 6 and 15. This action then serves tobreak the bond between the pit and the peach flesh, and to this end itis immaterial whetherthe opposed cups of the unit rotate in the same oropposite direction so long as there is relative rotation between the pitand its associated peach halves. However, it is deemed preferable tohave the cups rotate in opposite directions for then the knives aresubjected to little or no torque. Here it should be noted that the solefunction of the spring 143 is to return the disc 87 back to its homeposition relative to the cup 83 at the end of each cycle of operation.Since the cam disc 99 is provided with duplicate sets of cammingsurfaces, the cinch belts Will open and close twice during eachrevolution of the cups 83. However, following each complete cycle ofoperation of the cinch belts, the pitting heads are moved away from theguillotine assembly to permit a pitted peach to be discharged, and thenmoved back into their operative positions over the next succeedingpeachfed to the guillotine assembly.

Knife wiper After each peach has been split and its halves twisted fromits pit in accordance with the action above described it is desirable towipe the knives 6 and 15 free and clear of any adhering pit portions. Tothis end a wiping finger 151 ((Fig. l) is journaled on one side of theknife track 13 for oscillation in a plane immediately adjacent thecommon plane of the knives 6 and 15. Formed integral with the hub of thefinger 151 is a lever 152, and mounted on the upper end of thevertically reciprocating upper knife 15 is a pin 153, the end of thelever 152 being in the path of travel of the pin 153. Secured to andbetween the lever 152 and the track 13 is a tension spring 154 forresiliently biasing the lever 152 upwardly. It will therefore be seenthat as a result of this construction the wiping finger 151 will becaused to move outwardly in response to the downward movement of theupper knife 1'5 and that upon the upward movement of the knife 15, thewiping finger 151 will sweep over the faces of the two knives under theinfiuence of the spring 154.

Peach half pusher and ejector Slidably mounted in each of the arms 65coaxially with its cup 83 is a rod 156 terminating at its inner end in apeach half pushing disc or pad 157. Surrounding the inner portion of therod 156 is a compression spring 158 accommodated Within a counterbore159 formed in the hub of the cup. Secured to the outer end of the rod156 is a stop collar 1,60 serving to limit or gauge the inward movementof disc 157. As a result of this construction, each disc 157 resilientlypushes against a peach half during the pitting cycle operation of themachine, thereby preventing that portion of the peach half adjacent itsaxis of rotation from spreading outwardly during the pitting operation,and in addition serves to eject the peach halves from the cups 83 as thecups move to their open or retracted positions.

Drive assembly Mounted on the upper rear portion of the frame 1 is anelectric motor 161 including a power take-off shaft 162. Bolted to theframe 1 is a bearing 163, and journaled therein is a drive shaft 164.Keyed to the take-off shaft 162 is a sprocket wheel 165, and similarlykeyed to the drive shaft 164 is a sprocket wheel 166. Reeved chain 167,the ratio between the wheels 165 and 166 being such as to produce thedesired speed of the drive shaft Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft164 is a crank arm 171 (Fig. 1), and pivoted thereto through a fitting172 is a connecting rod 173. The free end of the connecting rod 173extends through a slide bearing 174 pivoted to the bifurcated arm 24.Surrounding the rod 173 between the slide bearing 174 and a stop collar175 is a compression spring 176. Similarly surrounding the free end ofthe rod 173 and a stop collar not shown is a compression spring 177. Asa result of this construction, the reciprocatory movement of the rod 173is resiliently imparted to the bell crank 23, thereby to cause the upperknife 15 to reciprocate up and down within its guide track 13. Due tothe lost motion action of the springs 176 and 177 the downward movementof the knife 15 will be arrested when the arcuate recess 17 of the knifehas become seated on the pit of a peach regardless of the size of thepit.

To drive the feed assembly, the right hand end of the connecting rod 39(Fig. l) is pivoted through a fitting 181 to a crank arm 182, which inturn is keyed or otherwise secured to the drive shaft 164. As a resultof this connection, the rotation of the crank arm 182 imparts areciprocatory movement to the connecting rod 39, and

this in turn causes the arm 33 to rock about its pivotal point to andfrom the guillotine assembly. Here it should be noted that during thefeeding cycle the upper knife 15 is elevated a sufficient distance abovethe lower knife 6 to permit the pit of a peach to be advanced to a pointbetween the arcuate recesses 9 and 17 of the two knives. However, evenin the uppermost position of the upper knife 15 its depending portion orextension 18 closes the rear end of the cavity formed by the two knives.The extension 18 therefore serves to limit or gauge the forward movement(right hand as viewed in Fig. l) of the pit so that regardless of thesize of a peach and its pit, the pit is always located between the kniferecesses 9 and 17. This is of course made possible due to the fact thatthe spring 44 serves as a resilient lost motion connection between theconnecting rod 39 and the crank arm 36.

Keyed to the drive shaft 164 is an interrupted gear 191 arranged to meshwith a complementary interrupted pinion 192, the pinion 192 being keyedto a shaft 193 (Fig. As shown in Fig. 1, the shaft 193 is journaled in abearing 194 mounted on the frame 1 (Figs. 1 and 2). Also keyed to theshaft 193 is a helical gear 195 in mesh with a gear 196 journaled to ashaft 197 and in driving engagement with the gear 58. As a result ofthis construction, the gear 58 is periodically driven by the train ofgears, including the interrupted gears 191 and 192. Since the gear 58 isin driving relationship with the gear 59 through the intermediate gear62, the gears 58 and 59 periodically rotate in the same direction inresponse to the rotation of the drive shaft 164. But since the gears 58and 59 are keyed respectively to the two shafts 56, the rotation of thegears '58 and 59 results in the rotation of the two opposed sprocketwheels 75'and 76 (Fig. 3).

Keyed to each of the shafts 82 is a sprocket wheel 201 arranged toreceive one of the sprocket chains 77, a collar 202, and bolt 203serving to hold the sprocket wheel 201 in place. This then serves as ameans for intermittently rotating the cups 83 when the cups are in theiroperative position closed over a peach held by its pit in the guillotineassembly.

Periodic movement of the cup assemblies to and from the guillotineassembly is effected by the structure disclosed in Fig. 4. Included inthis structure is a cam track disc 211 keyed to the main drive shaft164. Mounted on the frame 1 adjacent the disc 211 is a bearing 212, andswiveled thereto is one end of an arm 213. Journaled on the arm 213intermediate its ends is a cam follower roll 214 arranged transversely asector shaped cam track 215 formed in one face of the disc 211. Pivotedto the bifurcated end 216 of the. arm 213 by a pin 217 is an arm 218.Swiveled to the right hand ends ofarms 64 and 65 by pins 219, as viewedin Fig. 2, are inwardly extending links 221 and 222, the inner ends ofthese links being pivoted together by a pin 223. Secured to or formedintegral with the inner end of one of the links 221 and 222 is a lug224, and pivoted thereto is the outer end of the arm 218.

As a result of this construction, the reciprocating movement of the arm213 as controlled by the cam disc 211 is transmitted to the inneradjacent ends of the links 221 and 222, and the back and forth movementof the inner ends of these links results in rotating the arms 64 and 6 5periodically towards and away from each other about their respectivepivotal points. Here it should be noted that the circular portion of thecam track 215 constitutes a dwell period during which the two cups 83are held in their closed positions over a peach as shown in Figs. 2 and7. The opening and closing movement of the cup assemblies toward andaway from each other takes place only during such time as the roll 214is disposed in the generally radial portions of the cam track.

Operation tine assembly, the upper knife is in its open or retractedposition. During the advance of the peach into the knives it is impaledon both knives with its pit located between their arcuate recesses 9 and17 and with the blossom end of the pit in engagement with the rear edgeof the knife extension 18. Upon the downward movement of the upperknife, the peach moves downwardly until it pit is firmly clamped withinthe sealloped arcuate recesses 9 and 12 of the two knives. At thispoint, the peach is substantially ringed, the two peach halves beingheld together because of their adherence to the pit. During the downwardmovement of the upper knife 15 the peach-feeding mechanism starts toreturn to its initial peach-receiving position, and the opposed peachgripper heads close on the peach being held by the two knives. At thispoint in the cycle of operation the peach cinching bands 121 are intheir open or expanded position, forming substantially a circlesufliciently large to receive a peach of maximum diameter. After the twoheads have fully closed over a peach the opposed cups 83 start to rotatein opposite directions. The initial movement of each cup simply servesto constrict the bands 121 so as to cinch them around their associatedpeach half. This having been accomplished the disc 87 which up to thispoint has remained stationary becomes locked to the cup, andconsequently rotates therewith. Since at this point the pit of the peachis locked between the knives, and each peach half is cinched within andto its associated cup, the further rotation of the cup serves to breakthe bond between the pit and its two peach halves. Following this, thecups move outwardly; each disc 87 is unlocked from its associated cupand rotates back to its home position under the influence of its spring143; the cinch belts are retracted from the peach halves and the latterare cleared of the machine by the pads 157. When the cups are clear ofthe guillotine assembly the knife wipers 151 sweep across the two knivesso as to clear them of pits.

Referring now to the modification illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, itwill be seen that a single cinch band or belt can be used for grippingeach peach half rather than two bands as illustrated in -themodification above described. I

To this end, each of the cups is provided with an arcuate slot 111::subtending an angle in the order of 175 rather than only 85 or 90 as inthe case of the first modification. Attached to the clamp jaws 115 and118 supported by the disc 87, just as in the case of the previousmodification, is a cinch belt or band 121a of sufiicient length to bewrapped substantially clear around the periphery of a peach half. Thefree end of band 121a, like the free ends of each of the bands 121, ispivoted to the end of an arm 128' Here it is to be observed that in thismodification only one arm 128 is necessary inasmuch as only one cinchbelt is used. Like the first modification, a guide track 136a secured tothe cup by screws 135a serves to limit the outer movement of the cinchband, and as in the case of the first modification, the band 121a islined with a resilient, scalloped liner 122a.

Except for these minor changes, the modification illustrated in Figs. 13and 14 is identical in construction and operation to the modificationillustrated in Figs. 1-12, inclusive, and merely illustrates that eithera single band or a plurality of bands can be used to lock each peachhalf against rotation relative to its pit. However, it is to be observedthat all other factors being equal, two bands for gripping each peachhalf is preferable. Here it should be noted that regardless of thenumber of bands used, each band is brought into frictional or wrappingengagement with the periphery of a peach half by locking one of its endsagainst rotation and pulling on its free end.

As a result of the construction of our pitter, the peach halves aretwisted by the application thereto of a uniformly distributed force atthe most advantageous point or area, namely, the equator of the peachhalf.v Furthermore, since the cinch belts contact the peach halves overan extended area the force required to turn the peach halves isdistributed over this same area instead of being concentrated at a fewpoints. Finally, it will be noted that our machine readily accommodatesitself to peaches of a wide range of sizes, and therefore reduces thenecessity of grading to a We claim:

1. A peach pitting head comprising: first and second belt anchoringmembers arranged for rotation relative to each other on a common axisand substantially in a common plane transverse to said axis; an arcuatepeachgripping belt secured at one end thereof to said first anchoringmember, and secured at its other end to said second anchoring member;means for effecting the relative rotation of said first and secondanchoring members, thereby to contract said arcuate belt; and means forlocking said first and second anchoring members against rotationrelative to each other.

2. A peach pitting head comprising: first and second belt anchoringmembers arranged for rotation relative to each other on a common axisand substantially in a common plane transverse to said axis; a firstarcuate peach-gripping belt secured at one end thereof to said firstanchoring member, and secured at its other end to said second anchoringmember; a second arcuate peachgripping belt secured at one end thereofto said first anchoring member and secured at its other end to saidsecond anchoring member, said first and second belts being diametricallyopposed to each other and together defining a symmetrical, generallycircular structure for the reception of a peach half; means foreffecting the relative rotation of said first and second anchoringmembers, thereby to contract said arcuate belts upon each other; andmeans for locking said first and second anchoring members againstrotation relative to each other.

3. A peach pitting head comprising: first and second belt anchoringmembers arranged for rotation relative to each other on a common axisand substantially in a common plane transverse to said axis; a firstarcuate peach gripping belt secured at one of its ends to said firstanchoring member, the other end of said belt being anchored to the freeend of a first arm extending rearwardly of and generally in parallelismwith said first belt; means for pivoting the rear end of said first armto said second anchoring member; a second arcuate gripping belt securedat one of its ends to said first anchoring member, the other end of saidsecond belt being anchored to the free end of a second arm extendingrearwardly of and generally in parallelism with said second belt; meansfor pivoting the rear end of said second arm to said second anchoringmember; means for rotating said first anchoring member relative to saidsecond anchoring member; and means for locking said second anchoringmember to said first anchoring memher.

4. A peach pitting head comprising: first and second belt anchoringmembers arranged for rotation relative to each other on a common axisand substantially ina common plane transverse to said axis; a firstarcuate belt secured at one of its ends to said first anchoring memberand secured at its other end to the forward free end of a first arm, therear end of said first arm being pivoted to said second anchoring memberat a point intermediate the ends of said first belt; second arcuate beltsecured at one of its ends to said first anchoring member at a pointdiametrically opposite the connection therewith of said first arcuatebelt, the opposite end of said second belt being secured to the forwardfree end of a second arm, and the rear end of said second arm beingpivoted to said second anchoring member at a point intermediate the endsof said second belt; means for rotating said second anchoring memberrelative to said first anchoring member; and means for locking saidsecond anchoring member to said first anchoring member.

5. A peach pitting head such as defined in claim 2 wherein means isassociated with said first and second anchoring members for resilientlybiasing said members to assume a predetermined position relative to eachother.

6. A peach pitting head such as defined in claim 2 wherein spring meansis associated with said first and second anchoring members forresiliently biasing said members towards a predetermined positionrelative to each other.

7. A peach pitting head such as defined in claim 2 wherein the innerface of each of said first and second belts is provided with aresilient, corrugated peachengaging surface.

8. A peach pitter such as defined in claim 2. wherein said firstanchoring member is provided with first and second guide tracks forrespectively confining said first and second belts from expandingoutwardly beyond a predetermined extent.

9. A peach pitting head such as defined in claim 4 wherein the outerface of said first arm is in engagement with the inner face of saidsecond belt and wherein the inner face of said first arm is inengagement with the outer face of saidfirst belt.

10. A peach pitter such as defined in claim 2 wherein said secondanchoring member is provided with an inwardly biased pin terminating atits. inner end in a halfpeach engaging foot.

11. A peach pitter such as defined in claim 2 wherein said locking meansincludes a brake shoe pivoted to said first anchoring member adjacentsaid second anchoring member, a stationary cam track disposed adjacentsaid first anchoring member; a cam track follower associated with saidbrake shoe; and means for resiliently biasing said cam follower againstsaid cam track.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

